Posted on August 6, 2025
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Aug. 4, 2025) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), issues the Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Fort Myers Beach Harbor Federal Navigation Project, Lee County, Florida (FMBH).
The purpose of the project is to provide safe and efficient navigation within the federal channel, wideners, and turning basin through the removal of shoaling (i.e., accumulated sediments in the channel) to maintain the authorized dimensions and depths. Dredged material has historically been placed along the shoreline on Estero Island between Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Range Monuments (R)-178 to R-184, and in the nearshore portion of Estero Island between R-182 to R-187A. This NEPA analysis will supplement the 2012 Environmental Assessment for Maintenance Dredging FMBH with Beach and Nearshore Placement, to evaluate additional placement options, including beach and nearshore placement on Estero Island, as well as placement in an offshore borrow area, which has been previously permitted by FDEP.
The Draft SEA, Proposed FONSI, and a signed copy of the NOA are available for review on the Jacksonville District, USACE Environmental Documents website at: https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/Environmental-Branch/Environmental-Documents/. Click the dropdown box beside Lee County and scroll to the bottom row of the table.
Jacksonville District requests questions or comments regarding the SEA be submitted in writing via email to Darren.J.Pecora@usace.army.mil within 30 days from August 4, 2025.
